Galatasaray 1 Liverpool 0 – Slot’s century marred by defensive mistakes and attacking profligacy

Virgil van Dijk and Galatasaray’s match winner, Mario Lemina
“In so many ways, this was a microcosm of Liverpool’s season. There was defensive frailty and profligacy undermining their own attacking efforts. Arne Slot saw his team concede from a set piece — Galatasaray’s first effort of the evening. All of it felt uncomfortably familiar as the Turkish side, who pride themselves on making the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi a fortress, claimed a narrow lead from the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie. This was a wonderfully frenetic contest from the opening exchanges. Liverpool had actually threatened to open up their hosts early on but having failed to take their chances, were exposed defending Galatasaray’s first corner. Slot, who was overseeing his 100th game in charge, saw his team’s marking system evaporate. …”
NY Times/The Athletic